1. The Water Cycle  
Water is continually moving from the surface of Earth through the atmosphere in the three states of matter: solid liquid gas

2. How the water cycle works:
The sun evaporates water from the ocean
Water is carried by the wind through the atmosphere
Water vapor condenses into clouds and falls to the Earth as precipitation
Water is carried by streams and rivers which return the water back to the ocean

3. Diagram:
Condensation P R E C I T A O N E V A P O R T I N

4. Definitions:
Precipitation – any form of water that falls from clouds and reaches Earth’s surface
Evaporation – water molecules in liquid state escapes into the air as water vapor.
Condensation – molecules of water vapor in the air become liquid water.
Transpiration – water released into the atmosphere directly from the leaves of trees and plants.